The Winthrop University women’s basketball team begins competing in non-conference games starting on Monday, Nov. 7, 2022. They will begin the season by traveling to Orlando, Florida to play against the University of Central Florida at 6 p.m.
This season’s team is compiled of two freshmen, six sophomores, one junior, two seniors, and a graduate student, in which six of the players are new to the team. The team has welcomed players Aaishah Barry, Frances Brown, Paige Powel, Shamyjha Price, Jada Ryce, and Tianna Spann to the team.
“With all these new players and basically a whole new team because of injuries, I think we’re adjusting well,” Tori Hall, a senior guard said. “We’re learning what each of us are good at and what we can do. This helps us put each other in the best positions to be successful.”
As Head Coach Semeka Randall Lay begins her third season with the Eagles, the team is starting the season with AnnMarie Gilbert, Will Auman, and Maya Wynn, the three new assistant coaches.
The women’s basketball team ended their 2021-2022 season on a combined schedule with six wins and 24 losses.
“Fans should expect a lot of energy this season and a team with a different mindset,” Hall said. “We are a lot more connected this year and we are finally finding our footing after our first two scrimmages. We are hoping for a lot more wins and to have people excited to come watch us play.”
During the non-conference schedule, a few schools the team will be competing against include West Carolina University, South Carolina State, and Georgia State University.
“I expect us to go out and play our hardest every night,” Hall said. “We should be doing everything and anything we can to produce wins and play good basketball.”
Once the team enters the Big South Conference schedule, a few teams they will be playing against are the University of North Carolina at Asheville, Radford University and Charleston Southern University, all of which they defeated last season.
“We are obviously excited that college basketball is back! As we are still learning and growing together as a team, I have been very pleased with our effort and focus as a group,” Head Coach Semeka Randall Lay said. “Overall, it’s been a sense of responsibility for our athletes and I’m proud of the effort that they have displayed. We look forward to our non-conference schedule.”
As the team continues to prepare for the upcoming games, the team has been working together in practices and scrimmages.
“I honestly think we are clicking well and making things work,” Hall said. “A big thing for us right now is learning to share the ball and get the ball in the hands of the people who need it.”
The Winthrop women’s basketball team was predicted to finish ninth in the 2022-2023 season during the Big South Conference Media Day held on Oct. 26, 2022.
The team will be competing on Winthrop’s home court against Coppin State University on Sunday, Nov. 13, 2022, at 2 p.m. Make sure to come support the Winthrop women’s basketball team as they start their 2022-2023 season.
“This team has so much to give, and it will show in the games,” sophomore guard Leonor Paisana said.
